Mediation for public records complaints

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Ohio Supreme Court referred a Youngs-town Board of Education member’s complaint to mediation.

Dario Hunter filed a complaint Aug. 2 to compel the city school district to comply with his public-records request.

On June 29, he requested copies of emails, texts and any other written correspondence between school district CEO Krish Mohip and any employees or representatives of Atlantic Research Partners.

Hunter requested the information about the district’s contact with ARP after discovering Mohip had ties to the company during his tenure in Chicago Public Schools.

Mohip contracted ARP services to find principals for East and Chaney High Schools at a cost of $12,500.

The request also included copies of any and all contracts or agreements the district and ARP entered into during the CEO’s tenure in office.

Hunter said he has received none of the documents he requested.

Hunter said the Supreme Court’s response is standard.

“The Supreme Court sent it to mediation ... of its own accord – without motion from the parties,” he said.

“If mediation doesn’t work out, it could still go back to the regular docket. Hopefully, Mohip will comply with the law and that won’t have to happen.”